The Year of Living Minimally – Week Fourteen

Yes, there’s stuff – a ceramic dog, a broken chair, a heavy glass ashtray. We filled the St. Vincent de Paul donation bin, and we filled the dumpster, too. We’ve hauled bags and boxes to the curb, where ‘pickers’ have picked and taken their share. We had walls painted and carpet installed.

I’m writing this post on Wednesday morning (10/18). Four weeks since my father-in-law died unexpectedly. Nearly four weeks since we began this massive clear-out. The house is almost ready. We’ve been so busy, every day.

We’ve reduced Ray’s house to a shell. 45 years of living, making memories, gone. Ready for someone else to breathe life into it.

Our footsteps echo throughout the empty rooms. On Thursday, we contacted our realtor and locked the door behind us.

Now, I turn back to our own home. Next week’s post will focus on whatever I can manage to accomplish. One thing I am sure of – living minimally is the way to go.

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Published by Martha Reynolds

I am the bestselling author of eight novels, including the Swiss Chocolate trilogy and VILLA DEL SOL, which won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England.
My newest novel, APRIL IN GALWAY, releases 29 November 2018.
View all posts by Martha Reynolds

11 thoughts on “The Year of Living Minimally – Week Fourteen”

My husband had to do this with his parents house two and a half years ago. His dad had a stroke and passed away. His mom had to be out in a memory card unit. None of the kids could take care of her full time. They had tons of stuff. It took us awhile with no help from his siblings. He finally got out what was important and hired someone to get the rest out of there. The house was still in the 70’s area. The new buyer remodeled it and flipped it. My husband was kind of upset at that but at least he doesn’t have to worry about those expenses anymore. His mom’s care needs the money.

It is so sad to have to clean out a parent’s home. Harder still, when you grew up in that house. Mixed emotions. It makes you realize how unimportant “things” are. How different a house feels, when their owner is no longer there. I am grateful to have fixed up, cleaned up, and see my parent’s house get a new life with a young family. So sorry for you and your husband’s loss.

Martha, my heart breaks for you and Jim. I remember helping my parents clean out my brother’s home, which was a task that I was very uneasy with, but I was grateful in the sense that I got to know another side of him from the things I found and kept. My thoughts are with you, sweet friend!

This post made me a little teary. After we finished cleaning out my folks’ house I went back one more time alone and just stood in each room then sat on the stairs and cried. I wasn’t ready to be the oldest. Then I, too, locked the door and walked out…